[alfa] Re: ES30 import and some emissions

[alfa@xxxxxxxxx]

Before this turns into the diesel digest...

There are ways to import the ES30- what you need to do is get EPA and DOT
approval.

Since the ES30 is a derivative of the Milano, one could make the argument that
if an owner enhanced the safety and emissions items to the standart of the
Milano, then you should be able to get the paperwork done.

Personally, I think the emissions would not be all that hard- if you install the
Platinum catalyst/ exhaust system on a ES30, then they will be idential as a
system, so you should be good to go.

Here's the EPA page to import vehicles-
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/imptop.htm

There is an identical DOT page as well.

What one DOES have going for you is that the standards of the day were not all
that difficult, so doing the proper homework and paperwork, one should be able
to import these vehicles.

About emissions- George, it's not AZEV, it's PZEV- Partial Zero Emissions
Vehicle.  I take quite a bit of pride in the Focus PZEV, as I worked on that
for two years before it started it's development life 3 years ago.  So a lot of
my fingerprints are there.

The VERY difficult emissions problem for diesels is NOT particulates, but NOx. 
Since diesels always run lean, there is hardly any CO and HC's to do 3 way
catalytic conversion with.  So- someone out there needs to invent a NOx only
catalyst!  Not only will you help diesels get on the US roads, but you'll also
help make gasoline engines more fuel efficents (for a different reason).

Anyway, if you want to import an ES30, I think you can.  I know the EPA- they
are very car friendly.  Much more than you think.  Some of you know the EPA as
well (not me... ;)

Eric Storhok
AA, MI
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